 On Tuesday, top Democrats met with Gov. Pat Quinn to lay out a
strategy for the governor's desired income tax increase.Senate
President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, once again said the Illinois
House is going to have to act first.
"We already passed an income tax out of the Senate," Cullerton
said. "So they're talking about getting the vote to pass an income
tax out of the House."
Cullerton and Senate Democrats passed a plan in 2009 that would
have hiked income taxes two points, from 3 percent to 5 percent.
Quinn most recently has pushed for just a one-point hike. The Senate
president wouldn't say if those numbers have changed. Cullerton did
add that when something happens in the House, there may need to be
more than just Democrats voting yes.
"It'd be helpful to get some support from the other party," said
Cullerton.
But House Republicans hesitate to support any tax increase
without concessions from Quinn and legislative Democrats.
State Rep Jill Tracy, R-Quincy, said that while there has been
talk of Medicaid, workers' comp and education reform, talk isn't
going to get many votes.
"I only hope there's been a lot of real reform talked about
that's going to be shown in legislation," she said. "I'm not sure."
Tracy added that Democrats only want GOP votes as a shield
against angry voters.
"Why does President Cullerton say it has to be done with
Republican votes? Doesn't it seem curious that Democrats members
don't want to support a tax increase?" she said.
State Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, said there are plenty of
Democrats who support a tax increase, though he said he doesn't know
if there are enough to pass a plan on their own. He added that if
Republicans don't want a tax increase, they need to come up with
another answer to pull Illinois out of a $15 billion hole.
"You can only say no so long. And if that's your only role, then
I guess that's your role. ... But at some point we have to put an
end to this one-upmanship between the parties," Smith said.
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Part of the calculation for the tax hike push now is that a
number of lawmakers, including Smith, are lame ducks and can vote on
an unpopular proposal without having to worry about the next
election. Smith said that alone could bring in a vote or two.
"If you're leaving here, whether it's voluntarily or
involuntarily, then you probably see things a little bit
differently," he said. "I think that's the opportunity to maybe get
someone who's always been for a tax increase but didn't feel that
they could politically because of retribution at the ballot box."
That won't be lame-duck state Rep. Susi Bassi, R-Palatine, who
said she's received calls about what it would take to get her on
board with an income tax increase.
"Most of us who are walking out the door have been responsible
legislators for our legislative career. And we're not interested in
dumping additional problems on the state," she said.
Bassi said Republicans have asked for spending restraint and an
end to new programs for years. She doubts anything will happen in
the next few days that will satisfy GOP members in the House.
"I'm looking at some of the (reform) bills that are coming
through here, and they're great showpieces for campaign pieces,"
said Bassi.
Top Democrats say they'll meet as often as it takes to get a
framework for an income tax increase. A vote is expected before a
new General Assembly is sworn in Jan. 12, but nothing is certain.
Lawmakers are scheduled for more lame-duck days for the rest of this
week.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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